Skip to main content

Journal app and Device health & support dashboard drop Pixel 10 exclusivity, more

With the November 2025 Feature Drop, Google is bringing a slew of features to older Pixel devices, including the Journal app.

After introducing with the Pixel 10, Google is bringing the Journal app to the Pixel 8 and 9 series. It lets you “document thoughts, track moods, and add memories with photos, videos, and activity data.” Version 2025.10.09.819057738 also introduces the fullscreen account menu (force stop after updating).

“Tips & support” at the bottom of the Settings app becomes “Device health & support” as a “one-stop shop for understanding your phone’s health. Instead of a Help page, you get a dashboard that brings together Battery health, Device temperature, Storage, and Software updates. 

You also get shortcuts to Charging and Touch diagnostics, as well as Warranty, Tips & support (the previous Help page), and Contact support. Finally, the “Need help with your Pixel?” search bar at the top lets you access an AI chatbot experience. This is coming to the Pixel 6-9 after debuting on the Pixel 10. 

Advertisement - scroll for more content

Google has also updated the Magnifier app to support Pixel Fold devices so that you can “use the large unfolded screen to quickly search for and find text in the real world using your voice or keyboard.” 

The My Pixel app is now available in Canada, France, Germany, India, Italy, and Spain.

Pixel Recorder summarization is now available in new languages on Pixel 9 (Hindi, Italian, and Traditional Chinese) and Pixel 8 (English, Japanese, German, French, Hindi, Italian, and Traditional Chinese). 

Phone by Google expansions this month include: 

  • Live Scam Detection during calls that will vibrate your phone when common speech patterns are detected is now available to Pixel 9+ users in the UK, Ireland, India, Australia, and Canada. 
  • Call Notes with recordings, transcripts, summaries and next steps is now available in Australia, Canada, the UK, Ireland, and India.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

You’re reading 9to5Google — experts who break news about Google and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Google on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Comments

Author

Avatar for Abner Li Abner Li

Editor-in-chief. Interested in the minutiae of Google and Alphabet. Tips/talk: abner@9to5g.com